Trucking insurance FAQ

Motor carriers running five or more power units that want an agent who helps lower their rates by improving safety and DOT compliance, not just by shopping quotes.

We review your SMS data to find which drivers and violations drive your BASIC percentiles, help you challenge inaccurate records through DataQs and CPDP, and set up hiring, ELD review and loss control practices that prevent new violations. See how to lower CSA scores.

FMCSA's online system for challenging inaccurate inspection and crash data. Successful challenges can lower your CSA scores. Read our DataQs guide.

Crashes, unsafe driving and HOS violations, out-of-service orders, and anything that contradicts the driver's application. See PSP red flags.

90 to 120 days before expiration, so there's time to clean up data and present your safety improvements to underwriters.

Our programs are built for motor carriers running five or more power units. Fleets of that size get the most from our compliance and loss control services.

Underwriters review your BASIC percentiles, inspections and crash history on every submission. Fewer violations, removed inaccurate records and a documented safety program make your account more attractive, which supports better pricing and more insurers willing to quote.

At least 90 to 120 days before your expiration date for a fleet. That leaves time to clean up DataQs, gather loss runs and present your safety improvements before underwriters price the account.

Both. Our clients get insurance plus help with CSA scores, DataQs challenges, crash preventability submissions, driver screening, ELD review and loss control.

It's the most common limit and satisfies most broker and shipper contracts. Fleets with more trucks, high-value contracts or hazmat often add excess or umbrella liability for larger claims.

Your insurance company files Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X electronically. You can confirm the filing on FMCSA's licensing and insurance lookup.

Reduce crashes and violations, challenge inaccurate data through DataQs, hire carefully, document your safety program, and start the renewal process early enough to present those improvements.

It depends on fleet size, assets, contracts and commodities. Many mid-size fleets carry $1M to $5M in excess limits; some contracts require more.

No. It adds liability limits for injury and damage to others. Cargo and physical damage are separate coverages.

Not for most carriers. FMCSA requires a cargo filing only for household goods movers. Brokers and shippers require it by contract.

It covers spoiled temperature-sensitive freight when a refrigeration unit fails. It's usually an add-on.

Not by federal law, but lenders and lessors require it on financed or leased equipment.

The value you declare for each unit. After a total loss, the insurer pays the lesser of that amount or the actual cash value, minus your deductible.

Yes. Many carriers require it in their lease agreements or offer a group program for leased drivers.

No. Workers' comp covers employees under state law. Occupational accident is a private policy for independent contractors with set benefit limits.

Yes. Standard cargo policies often exclude spoilage from refrigeration breakdown, so reefer fleets add reefer breakdown coverage.

Most carry $1M auto liability and $100,000 or more in cargo, with excess liability as the fleet grows.

Often yes, but check commodity exclusions and per-load limits. High-value machinery may need a higher limit.

Cargo securement, injury risk and heavier loads add exposure. Strong securement training and clean inspections help offset it.

Only for interstate for-hire hauling. Most dump trucks run intrastate under state rules, though a USDOT number is often still required.

It extends your liability coverage to protect the contractor if your work causes a claim against them.

FMCSA requires $750,000 for interstate general freight in vehicles of 10,001 lbs or more; most delivery partners require $1,000,000.

Usually not. General liability covers that, and most delivery contracts require it.

It covers damage to a customer's vehicle while it's attached to or loaded on your tow truck.

It covers customer vehicles left in your care, such as on your storage lot, against fire, theft and vandalism.

Inspections and crashes count in SMS for 24 months, with less weight as they age. Inspection records stay visible longer in other FMCSA systems, such as PSP, which shows three years of inspections.

Lower is better. Staying well under the intervention thresholds (65% for Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator and HOS; 80% for the others, for general property carriers) keeps you off FMCSA's radar and looks better to underwriters and brokers.

Yes. Inspections with no violations increase your inspection count without adding points, which lowers your measure in BASICs that are normalized by inspections.

Yes. The public SMS data is available to anyone, and underwriters review it on every quote. We review it with you before your account goes to market.

FMCSA doesn't set one strict deadline for most requests, but evidence fades and violations hurt you most while they're recent. File as soon as you have documentation.

If the citation tied to a violation was dismissed or you were found not guilty, you can submit the court documents through DataQs to have the violation removed or noted, which takes it out of your SMS measures.

Requests are routed to the agency that reported the data, usually the state that performed the inspection or reported the crash. FMCSA handles some request types, including crash preventability.

No. Filing through DataQs is free.

No. The crash stays listed, but it is marked not preventable and excluded from your Crash Indicator BASIC percentile calculation.

Yes. FMCSA requires the police accident report, and additional evidence like video and photos makes a stronger case.

Yes. PSP reports note crashes that FMCSA found not preventable, which helps the driver when they apply for future jobs.

No, PSP is voluntary. It's strongly recommended because it shows crash and inspection history that an MVR may not, and many insurers expect fleets to use it.

Yes. Carriers must have the driver's written consent, using the required disclosure and authorization form, before ordering a report.

Five years of crash data and three years of roadside inspection data.

An MVR comes from the state licensing agency and shows convictions, suspensions and license status. PSP comes from FMCSA and shows crashes and roadside inspections. Use both.

Not automatically. Some insurers offer programs where you share telematics data in exchange for a discount or better terms. Sharing a summary of your safety results at renewal can also help.

Miles the ELD records with no driver logged in. Carriers must review and assign or annotate it. Unresolved unassigned time is a common audit finding.

Weekly works well for most fleets. Daily review of HOS violations and unassigned time is better for larger operations.

FMCSA requires specific records and processes, like driver qualification files, drug testing and inspection reports, but not one single written safety program document. Insurers and many shippers, however, expect one.

The practices a fleet uses to prevent crashes, injuries, cargo losses and claims, from hiring standards and training to maintenance and accident review.

Underwriters weigh documented safety practices when deciding whether to quote and how to price. A strong program also reduces the claims that drive renewals up.

Usually some notice, often by letter or phone, though investigations after serious crashes or complaints can move quickly. The safest approach is to keep files audit-ready all the time.

It means FMCSA found your safety management controls inadequate in some areas, but not bad enough for an Unsatisfactory rating. It can affect insurance and customer relationships, and you can request an upgrade after making corrections.

Yes, and it's a smart move. A mock audit by a compliance professional finds file gaps before an investigator does.

Heavy trucks cause severe accidents, and trucking verdicts have grown sharply. Liability is priced for that risk, which is why it makes up most of a fleet's premium.

90 to 120 days before expiration, so there's time to improve data and present it before underwriters price the account.

They can. Some insurers credit camera programs, and footage often helps win CPDP reviews and defend claims.

For interstate for-hire carriers, auto liability at FMCSA minimums. Cargo and physical damage are usually required by contracts and lenders.

FMCSA is notified and your operating authority can be revoked if replacement coverage isn't filed. Brokers will also stop tendering loads.

The electronic filing your insurer submits to FMCSA to prove you carry required liability coverage.

Only for household goods carriers, who file a BMC-34. For others it's a contract requirement.